RICS Home Survey
(Level 1)

Please complete the short form below to access a number of no-obligation estimates for a professional RICS Home Survey (Level 1) in your local area.

Upon completing the form, you will instantly receive the surveyor’s full contact details. You can then check their credentials, reach out to them directly and compare with other firms.

What is a RICS Home Survey Level 1?

The RICS Home Survey Level 1 is a property report carried out by professionals from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

It’s used by homebuyers who want to understand a property’s condition before making a purchase.

It was previously called a Condition Report, and we’ll use the two terms interchangeably throughout this article.

A Level 1 report is the most basic survey offered by RICS. It’s a popular choice among homebuyers who want to find out about any significant risks or urgent defects but don’t need a full structural breakdown of the property. Those purchasing conventional properties or new builds often decide they don’t need a high level of detail from their report.

Since it’s the most basic, it’s also the lowest-priced survey available from RICS.

Meanwhile, its Level 3 Building Survey is the most comprehensive option, and the best choice for older, more complex properties. 

There’s also the Level 2 RICS Home Survey – also known as Home Buyer Report or Homebuyer Survey – a mid-level survey that goes into more detail relative to what’s presented in a Level 1 report.

To opt for a RICS Home Survey Level 1, your property must have an easily accessible maintenance history and is recommended to be less than five years old.

A Level 1 Building Survey Contains the Following:

• A visual inspection of the property’s interior, exterior, and any permanent outbuildings
• A basic overview of the construction, including any visible defects
• A rating of the property’s condition for different elements of the house, assessed using a traffic light system
• Identification of any risks to the property or its occupants
• Recommendations for further investigations if relevant

You can use the tool above to look for a RICS-regulated Chartered Surveyor in your area. It also lists professionals for other RICS surveys.

Exclusions

A RICS Level 1 home survey is designed to be a basic inspection that covers obvious surface-level issues. As a result, it does not offer:

• Advice on repairs or ongoing maintenance
• Forcing or opening the fabric of the building (including fitted carpets, floorboards, and electrical fittings)
• Inspections of inaccessible parts of the property
• Specialist tests on services or installations (including energy efficiency)

If you need more detailed advice, you can turn to another type of RICS survey.

Types of RICS Home Survey (Level 1) Qualification

Working with the right surveyor is key to getting a professional inspection you can rely on from your survey report.

Make sure you’re working with a surveyor who has one of the following credentials:

• MRICS
• FRCIS
• AssocRICS

These letters usually appear after the person’s name. They show a professional is regulated by RICS and will follow its conduct and standards.

RICS surveyors shouldn’t be confused with professionals from other organisations and regulatory bodies. Some others that you may come across include:

• The Chartered Association of Buildings Engineers (CABE) – have credentials MCABE or FCABE
• The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) – have credentials MCIOB or FCIOB
• The Residential Property Surveyors Association (RSPA)

In the case of CABE and CIOB, the surveyors are chartered but belong to different organisations. Unless they’re also a member of RICS, they do not have the relevant expertise to carry out a RICS Home Survey Level 1 – but they may offer other surveys.

However, RSPA surveyors may not be chartered. If you’re considering working with one, you should check if the surveyors also have qualifications from either RICS, CABE, or CIOB.

Sample RICS Home Survey (Level 1)

To get a better idea of what to expect from a Level 1 homebuyers survey, click on the link below to see an example.

This follows the RICS template for residential properties.

Not every property survey is the same – for instance, some surveyors like to make their own format for their surveys. However, they all must follow the same guidelines and stick to the same general style and structure.

Why Would You Need a RICS Condition Report?

For most people, a home is the most expensive item they’ll buy in their lifetime. As a result, before proceeding to the property purchase, it’s essential to understand its current condition.

While it’s not a legal requirement to get a condition report, there are major risks involved in buying a house without one. You could find out after completing your sale that it has significant defects and requires major repairs, which could set you back tens of thousands of pounds.

While a mortgage valuation considers a property’s condition to some extent to gauge its value, condition isn’t the primary focus. As a result, many people prefer to use a professional surveyor.

Doing so also means they have access to more information about different elements of the property.

People often opt for a Level 1 condition report when:

• They’re buying modern properties in good condition
• They want an overview of a property’s condition
• They’re looking for a cost-effective choice
• They’re only concerned about obvious defects
• They don’t feel they need detailed information about all possible risks

What Does a RICS Level 1 Property Survey Cover?

During a RICS homebuyer report, the surveyor will inspect as much of the property as is easily accessible and report any visible defects they encounter. If any parts of the house are inaccessible, they will note this on the survey report.

Since the report is mostly a surface-level inspection, its contents will partly be affected by how much of the property is visible. The surveyor will mostly view the construction from the ground, including from other public properties they can access, and will look at the roof structure from the access hatch.

They will also use some equipment to help them view as much as possible, including:

• Damp meter
• Binoculars
• Torch
• Ladder (for flat roofs and safe, lower hatches)

As well as their visual inspection, property professionals will make oral enquiries where necessary and relevant.

It generally takes a few days to receive your assessment after the surveyor has finished their inspection. However, it may take longer if a backlog is slowing them down. In contrast, at Property Solvers, we are used to working with people who want a fast property transaction.

How Much Does a RICS Home Survey Level 1 Cost?

You can generally expect to pay between £300 and £900 for this type of report, which is less than other RICS home surveys.

However, the exact cost varies depending on the size and location of the property.

Who Pays?

Usually, the buyer pays for a RICS condition report since it’s in their interest to know about any potential risks.

Sometimes, the seller might pay if they want to provide prospective buyers with as much information as possible upfront, which can reduce the chances of them backing out of the property transaction later.

RICS Level 1 Home Survey Checks

Checks made as part of this report include:

• Interior and exterior of the main building (including walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors)
• Permanent outbuildings (such as garages and sheds)
• Visible parts of plumbing, electrical systems, and heating
• Roof structure (as visible from the access hatch and/or externally)
• Boundaries (such as walls and fences)
• Obvious concerns with the grounds
• Access and communal areas (such as hallways and staircases)

Meanwhile, the report does not include:

• Boarded-up spaces
• Areas behind heavy furniture
• Internal structure
• Tests for whether services work
• Environmental issues like contamination
• Asbestos
• External wall systems
• Drains
• Fire alarms

Should You Include a House Valuation When Getting a Survey?

It’s possible to add additional services to a survey report, including a market valuation. This may not be necessary if you are already receiving a valuation from your mortgage lender, but some people like to get a second opinion from a surveying firm.

Other extra services include detailed information on specific issues, analysis of repair costs, a reinspection and schedules or supervision of works.

What Should You Ask a RICS Surveyor?

If you know that you are working with a surveyor regulated by RICS, you can rest assured they will adhere to the association’s standards. Therefore, you shouldn’t need to ask excessive questions beyond verifying their credentials.

But if you’re concerned, you may want to ask the following:

• How long they have been certified
• The time frame you can expect to receive the report following the inspection
• Their availability for carrying out the survey
• Reviews from previous customers
• An example of a past report
• How long the report will take